luv the analyzer and thats a nice arse switch ta boot dangit, i was at the auto parts store today and didnt browse for stuff
Hey, could I take that out for a spin, Dad? Looks very nice! I had *thought* about getting one of those cases for a mod job, seeing as they are not as expencive as a "normal name-brand case," but that thought lasted about 2 seconds max, as I don't have that kind of cash, and I need to upgrade my computer's insides a little more first (new hard drive, more ram, etc.)... I love the paperclip idea, it is going to look great! Good luck
zackerouac: Ya always have to be on the lookout for stuff like that! The switch was only like 4 or 5 bucks, stop by and grab a few durring an outind in the car! Yo-DUH_87: The case wasn't expensive at all. If you buy it without a PSU, it's only about 60 bucks. At first I was concerned about cutting the case up as I feared that I would mess something up and need to buy a whole new case. I called the US distributer and discussed what I was doing and asked about replacement parts and they will sell me any part off the case I need if I do in fact mess up a cut. I can get new drive blanks, front bezel, side panels, top panel, anything I need. That's the biggest reason I went with this case besides the looks. I really like the way the case looks.
Actually I'm kinda ticked about when I bought the case... I bought it from Directron and 3 days later if I went to the company's website, they had a special on them. I could have gotten the case, PSU and 2 aluminum HDD racks for around $125. I should have waited and priced all my options. Oh well, live and learn!
Quickie update... Finally found the time to build the analyzer/case light panel. You can see the analyzer mounted on the left (working ). The switch next to it is the power for the analyzer and the 2nd switch will be for the case lights. This project is taking a LOT longer than expected! Nothing has been difficult, it's just that time is at a premium I guess. Maybe one of these days, weeks or months I'll be able to put the case togeather. Next on the agenda... 1- label switches with dry-transfer lettering like I did with the LiveDrive and tidy up scratches made while cutting. 2- cut 3.5" fdd blanks and retro-fit a small 4x20 vfd which is being delivered. I should receive that in a few days. 3- cut front and side blow-holes. 4- final assembly
Thanks. The only thing I don't care for with the panel is that blank space between the analyzer and the switches. I was going to put a potentiometer to adjust the analyzer levels, but didn't have the room to do so because part of the analyzer circut is behind that space. Any thoughts on what I can do to fill it in so it doesn't look so plain?
After I graduated high school (way back in 1986) I bought a Radio Shack 80 watt EQ/booster for my car as a graduation present for myself which had this analyzer in it. Over the years the power transistors fried and the unit died. While cleaning out a closet a few months back I came across it and decided since I really don't care about loud car stereos much anymore (and since my current head unit is already 45 watts x 4), I'd rip it apart to see if I could get the analyzer circutry to work without the rest of the unit. I found out that the circut was a seperate board with 4 wires leading to it - a 12 volt line, ground, left + and right +. When I hooked it up to a 12v supply, connected the left and right chanells and spliced the speaker ground to the psu ground, it worked! It's like I've said in other threads, cars use 12 volts, so an auto parts store is a great place to find modding goodies!
Hum.... Might have to try that. Not to steady with a Dremel though, so I'm not sure how that would work out, but I like that idea...
looking good dad i say go with the light up badge inbetween it. maybe cut out a square, then get some acrylic with a sticker on it to place over the hole. or something like that...
bump question, dad, when you painted the chassis did you prime it? if not, how is it holding up? chipping, scratching off? im looking to paint mine but i dont want to prime the ****** thanks!
Good timing! I was just going to update this log. To answer your question, I didn't paint the case. The main reason I bought this case is that it came with such a nice finish straight from the factory. Okay, here's an update... I have most of the case work done now: Custom blow-hole mod with stealthed fan grill and custom led mod \/ The picture doesn't do it justice! What I did was to take a plain-jane black fan, take it apart and paint the moving part with "chrome" paint. After I did this, I cut out little notches into the fan shroud (?) and hot-glued ultra bright 3mm blue leds facing inward. To get that redish glow in the middle I hot glued 4 red 3mm leds togeather in a bunch and attached them to the inside of the fan grill on the "alien's" head. The led wires are 24 gague and are glued behind the grill also. Sorry I didn't take step-by-step pics. Took nearly 2 nights to get it the way I wanted and highly reccomend doing it! Backlit case badge mod \/ I decided to take a little offshoot of the normal backlit case badge. I cut a tiny piece of acrylic, beveled its edges, glued a square red led to the back and attached the whole thing to a chrome "stand" which is attached to the case bottom. I wanted to get a pic without the flash so you can see the badge mod better, but couldn't keep the camera completely steady. Here's the best I could so. \/ It at least gives you an idea of what the case badge is like. Here's the "beauty" shot with the flash. Here you can get a good look at how shiny the case itself is. Again, this is factory paint! \/ Final pic... With side panel & custom side blow-hole. I cracked the original window that was on the case and replaced it with a piece of Lexan. I *HIGHLY* reccomend Lexan! It's so easy to work with and when I cut and drilled it, it didn't crack or splinter! \/ No flash - sorry about it being a little blurry... I feel that I'm about 2 weeks from putting it all togeather and probably won't be able to work on it untill Tuesday, so I probably won't update untill the 28th or 29th... Comments?
i meant the frame of the case, doh! thats the best led fan ever! it looks like the alien has glowy eyes it's coming along great, i can't wait to the vu meter in action
That's a really sweeeet blow hole. I just love that fan grill, so much that I've been using it as template for my case vindow ..... I just finished cutting the last part 2 days ago, didn't get a picture yet though.
Zack: Ah, the chasis! I didn't realize that's what you were talking about untill I re-read it... To answer your question, no, I didn't prime it. I should have, but I didn't. It's funny about the scratching and stuff. Some places I've been having problems with and others are solid as a rock. However where ever I've gotten a scratch, I've just used a black Sharpie marker to cover it up. I figure that when it's all togeather I won't have any more problems. Thanks man. Took a lot of work to get those wires hidden within the fan grill. I was actually trying to make it so it looked like it has glowey eyes! Only 2 things I wish were different though: The camera did a better job at capturing the red and I had brighter red leds. Those Radio Shack leds pretty much suck. Niiiice! I love the idea! Are you going to be using those grill(s) too along with the window? I think I'd like to steal your idea for my next mod and backlight everything with green or red...
eh, communication breakdown screw it, im gonna paint my chassis/ frame without primer the fan is indeed bitchin. you might want to try putting your camera on a chair or something sturdy to get a better shot. we dont need no stinking tri-pods! homer - nice window
